The Importance of Addressing Evolutionary Mismatches in the Production Management of Aquaculture Species

Abstract

To achieve production goals, aquaculture often modifies the environments of farmed species, creating conditions that differ significantly from their natural habitats. These alterations can result in evolutionary mismatches, where traits that evolved to optimise survival and reproduction in the wild become maladaptive in farming settings. This can lead to a conflict between traits desired for farming and those favoured by natural selection. In this opinion piece, we examine cases where such evolutionary mismatches arise, their impact on production, and strategies to mitigate these effects. We provide examples of species and farming practices that have been optimised through selective breeding and evolutionary studies and highlight practical solutions that can be applied to the many aquaculture species for which farming practices remain suboptimal. Additionally, we suggest directions for future research to deepen our understanding of evolutionary mismatches in aquaculture.